Party people, for months now we’ve been anticipating a fall season bursting at the seams with political fundraisers. And here we are, in the second full week of September, with a jam-packed social calendar.

This week, D.C.-based partying is back in full swing after the traditional emptying out of Capitol Hill during August, which saw plenty of on-the-road fundraising. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., is one politician taking advantage of D.C.’s summertime-in-September weather, throwing a fundraiser at Nationals Park during Tuesday night’s Nats-Braves matchup. It’s a popular party spot, but usually it’s to watch your home team take on the Nats (since Schneider represents Chicago’s northern ‘burbs, we’re assuming he’s a Cubs fan). But, hey, a politician’s got to do what a politician’s got to do, and if that means having a fundraiser during a baseball game when your team’s not playing, then so be it.

Although Party Time’s schedule is super full, we are sure there’s more going on out there. What have you heard about, and what invites have come across your desk? You know what to do! Upload official invites right here, or email us any news tips.

And with that, get ready for a busy week in political partying!

Dems are partying hard. Like, really, really hard.
Democrats and Republicans are in the midst of a fight to the death for control of the Senate. Seriously. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently called his race against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes a “slugfest” and a “knife fight” during a fundraiser in southeastern Kentucky.

While candidates are using “control of the Senate” to rally support around their individual campaigns (at that same fundraiser, McConnell told those gathered: “This is the biggest race in the country. And the consequences are enormous.”), national-level party committees also employ the refrain to ply mega donors for mega bucks. To wit: This week, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – in charge of keeping the Senate blue – is throwing six pricey parties.

Dems have been rather adept this year at deploying unpopular-yet-moneymaking politicos (ahem, President Obama) to collect cash, and this week’s swath of fundraisers continues the trend. Tuesday evening’s annual fall reception at the National Museum of Women in the Arts features DSCC Chair Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., always a popular target for Republicans. Tickets start at $1,000 and climb to $32,400. And on Friday, expect a similarly priced event in Baltimore, where the partier-in-chief himself headlines a fundraiser. (Details on President Obama’s party are scarce, so let us know if you’ve heard about what’s doing in Charm City.)

Hillary Clinton makes her fall fundraising debut this week, hosting a DSCC reception and dinner – tickets go for $10,000 per person, or $32,400 per couple – at her Northwest D.C. home. Between her summertime book tour and various speaking gigs, not to mention the continual will-she-won’t-she-in-2016 storyline, Clinton keeps grabbing headlines. But Party Time counts this as her first step into purely political territory since May, when she headlined a fundraiser for Marjorie Margolies (mother-in-law to one Chelsea Clinton, not-so-incidentally), who ultimately lost her bid to return to Congress. State Rep. Brendan Boyle defeated Margolies in the Democratic primary for an open seat in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District.

Tuesday’s event is the first of two fundraisers this week for Clinton. On Sunday, she and hubby Bill will touch down in Iowa to co-headline Sen. Tom Harkin’s annual Steak Fry. As the site of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, the Hawkeye State visit has political prognosticators buzzing more than usual about her possible White House run. Ready for Hillary, the super PAC that’s collecting cash and solidifying support for a possible H. Clinton presidential candidacy, even cooked up a fundraiser raffle for supporters to win a trip to the Steak Fry.

And two more fundraisers fill out the week for the DSCC’s fundraising frenzy: On Wednesday, Delaware Sen. Tom Carper will host a lunch in D.C., and come Friday, party faithful will gather in swanky Kiawah, S.C., for a weekend-long fall retreat.

Famous faces come out for Michelle Nunn
In Georgia’s tight Senate race, Democratic candidate Michelle Nunn benefits greatly from name recognition. Her father, former Sen. Sam Nunn, continues to be a popular political figure in her home state after serving in the Senate for more than 30 years.

But a recent article questioned whether or not the Nunn name provides much of a boost among African Americans or younger voters, key constituencies for Democratic candidates. Fortunately for the Nunn camp, some very well-known people with names that just about everyone can recognize are throwing fundraisers this week for the campaign.

First up is first lady Michelle Obama, who is headlining a roundtable fundraiser Monday afternoon in Atlanta. The event benefits Nunn and the DSCC, and marks Obama’s first foray into fundraising since the end of July. Then, on Saturday, former President Bill Clinton throws a funder at the Atlanta home of Usher. Is everyone else counting on a Clinton-on-the-saxophone version of “Yeah!”? Thought so.

Cash for Comstock
Before she became a member of Virginia’s House of Delegates, Barbara Comstock was a go-to researcher and political consultant within Republican circles for years, working on former President George W. Bush’s campaign in 2000 and on Mitt Romney’s run in 2012. Now, as she competes for Virginia’s 10th District House seat, Comstock is getting help from some long-ago cultivated friendships.

On Tuesday, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., headlines a reunion event in D.C., which will feature other top aides from the 2012 campaign. Comstock’s team is also raffling off two tickets and a photo with Ryan, asking supporters to throw down anywhere from $25 to $2,600 for a chance to meet the former VP candidate and current chair of the House Budget Committee.

The next day, Comstock throws another fundraiser, this one at the Middleburg, Va., home of Kristi and Vito Germinario. Former Virginia Sen. John Warner and Rep. Frank Wolf, whose upcoming retirement opened up the 10th District seat, are slated to attend Wednesday’s event.

Happy birthday, Mr. Governor
Politicians will use anything for a fundraiser gimmick. And why not? If you are planning to celebrate a wedding anniversary or the coming of summer anyway, why not tack on a little fundraising for good measure?

While $150 will get you into the general reception, it’ll cost you $5,000 to attend the private reception or $25,000 to attend the roundtable. And if that doesn’t entice you to bust out the checkbook, the birthday balloons on the invite should do the trick.

And those are the week’s highlights, party animals! What are we missing, and what have you heard about? Upload invites right here or email us whatever you’ve got.

A government shutdown would sabotage the country’s economic growth, put 800,000 federal workers on furlough and further damage Congress’ standing in the eyes of their electorate at a time when approval of the legislative branch is already at an all time low. However, PT records prove that there’s one thing a shutdown would not stop:

Congressional fundraising.

‘The show must go on’ appears to be the motto for members of Congress in the days following post-midnight, when government services will start to wind down should Congress be unable to reach a budget deal. Party Time data reveals that at least seven different members have planned fundraising bashes that will occur on, or directly after, the potential shutdown.

**Update: Chabot’s fundraiser has been canceled according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Chabot’s offers PACs and other individuals a chance to enjoy a “taste of Cincinnati” with the entire Ohio Republican delegation. Truth in advertising compels us to caution that contributors may be robbed of the presence of the delegation’s top dog: Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. The Republican leader already had a fundraising retreat fall victim to budget negotiations (see below for more details), and will likely still have his hands full parlaying with Dems — not to mention his own caucus members — come Tuesday.

Other fetes on the social docket include a $500 and up reception for longtime Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. — which will feature a bevy of the New Yorker’s congressional allies — as the 83-year-old New Yorker raises money for a race in which he does not yet have a challenger.

For those seeking a nice capstone for your weekly social calendar, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. has his Second Annual Trout Fishing retreat scheduled for this weekend. For $2,500 you too can join the senator at Gaston’s White River Resort in Lakeview, Ark., for a weekend of fishing tackle and trout filets — what better way to unwind from a hectic week of closing up Uncle Sam’s shop?

And then there’s what you might call the shutdown profiteers:

Healthcare ire means big bucks for pols’ campaign coffers

**Update: Roe’s fundraiser has been canceled according to a source at the Huffington Post. The never-ending debate over health care that’s causing the potential shutdown may be threatening the paydays of government workers, but, hey it’s turning out to be a money-making opportunity for some of our enterprising pols. For instance, Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., is hoping to capitalize on the furor over “Obamacare” with a Thursday fundraising breakfast.

Party Time has obtained an invitation for the bash, which will benefit the Healthcare Freedom Fund –Roe’s “new” leadership PAC, established “to help elect federal candidates seeking office to add to the debate here in Congress to establish healthcare freedom and reform,” according to the invite. The term “new” may be a stretch, as FEC filings show that HFF first registered in Sept. 2012.

The veteran and former doctor is asking for contributions from $250 to $1,000 for attendees of the party, which also features Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.

Not to be left out of the Obamacare bashing, the Koch brothers-led Americans for Prosperity — a conservative dark money group — is using the bill to stir up support for a three-pronged canvassing session just outside of the beltway in Northern Virginia. A recent e-mail from the group urges supporters to join a door-to-door canvassing effort aimed at upending healthcare overhaul, Medicaid expansion and, not so coincidentally, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic nominee in next month’s Virginia governor’s election.

In a fundraising countermove, Organizing for America — President Obama’s own dark money operation — sent out a similar e-mail asking for funds and urging supporters to “[pick] up a phone, [get] the facts out to friends on social media, or [show] up at your local congressional office.” Of course, clicking the helpful the link to “Add your voice” directs you to a web page asking for contributions from $15 to $1,000.

To check out the e-mails for yourself, head on over to PT’s own Tumblr. Of course, if any of our friends in the party-sphere catch wind of other Obamacare-themed fundraising efforts, do us a solid and send ‘em this way.

All work and no play

Obviously, not everyone is able to raise dough off Congress’ healthcare shenanigans.

As reported by the Washington Examiner, the House Republican leader will reschedule the kickoff event for his “Capitol Program” — a fundraising campaign aimed at pulling contributions of $10,000 or more from major DC donors.

Bringing donors on a retreat is a common tactic of politicians seeking to squeeze a little more scratch out of supporters than they could at a regular, humdrum breakfast reception near Capitol Hill. The increased access that comes from spending multiple days with a member can be appealing to lobbyists and other deep-pocketed donors hoping to make their issues heard with the relevant party.

Peter, Paul and Martha

Beyonce, The Eagles and Justin Bieber are just some of the pop music superstars that have been graced by the presence of congressional funders in the past.

It appears that Democratic congressional hopeful Martha Robertson is aiming for an older, more nostalgic cadre of contributors. On Monday, the New York Dem will raise money with an exclusive performance from folk music legend Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. Yarrow is perhaps best-known for penning the whimsical 60’s hit: “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” The Robertson campaign is charging $250 to $1,000 for the event.

Unfortunately for Robertson, media interest in the event has not centered on the musical stylings of Yarrow, but rather his past conviction as a sex offender — Yarrow pleaded guilty to “taking indecent liberties with a child” in 1970. State and national GOP reps have harped on the Yarrow appearance, pressuring Robertson to disinvite the singer from the event.

The event was still on as of press time.

A giant in Hoboken

With the NFL season in full swing, the New York Giants are still in search of their elusive first win, and the offense in particular has come under fire for its poor performance in the first three games of the season.

Maybe that’s why the quarterback, Eli Manning, is testing out the political fundraising game.

The younger Manning brother will appear Monday at a benefit for Hoboken, N.J. Mayor Dawn Zimmer, where the entertainment will be — what else? — watching a football game: the 8:40 p.m. tilt between the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints.

Suggested contributions range from $500 to $1,500. While that might sound like a bit of a hefty price tag for a trip to the local sports bar, how often do you get to show off your football IQ with a real-life professional player?

An NC Insurance Commissioner in NYC?

A midtown New York City fundraiser charging contributors donors thousands for a little more than an hour of face time with a pol? It sounds like a classic Big Apple funder for a Senate or House bigwig. Not in this instance.

On Wednesday, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin will join insurance executives at a reception at Tavern 29. For $4,000, you have the chance to join the exclusive ranks of Goodwin’s Platinum Sponsors, though it’s anyone’s best guess what that distinction will earn you.

Too many evening fundraisers filled with hors d’oeuvres and quiet conversation can get a little tiresome for a young, hip political donor. Thankfully, members are always coming up with innovative new events to help rake in the cash for their campaign war chests.

With the launch of Party Time’s excellent new Tumblr, we have been vigorously searching for zany new fundraising events — and our party-hearty politicians have happily obliged.

While this week’s social calendar features a plethora of picturesque funding fiestas — from a cigars and spirits reception, to an evening with pop star Will.i.am or a funder on the shooting range — one unhappy Florida lawmaker has provided us with a crash course in how not to party.

Scott sings the blues

Gov. Rick Scott’s fundraising woes began with news that the Florida governor had postponed the execution of an inmate on the Sunshine State’s death row. The reason? The timing conflicted with a fundraiser in honor of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Remember folks, sometimes even the biggest party animals need to take some off.

On top of Scott’s sticky death row situation, the governor recently found himself the center of another fundraising controversy over the procurement of hunting licenses for potential donors.

Perhaps copying a page out of the playbook of Sen. David Vitter,R-La., Scott’s reelection campaign had planned a $25, 000-a-head ‘gator hunt.’ Unfortunately, alligator hunting permits are a hot commodity for hunters in the Florida swamps. The state awards its scarce number of licenses each year through a lottery system — prompting questions of how the adequate number of gator licenses were acquired for the funder.

Though Scott has since cancelled the hunt, if Sen. Vitter’s facebook is any indication, there’s nothing like a good day in the swamps for scaring up some campaign cash.

Rubio back on the hunt

The end of summer means the reappearance of familiar faces on the Washington money trail, and few are more aggressive in stocking the ole war chest than prospective 2016-ers.

As reported by Politico, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. expects to raise hundreds of thousands at his Wednesday shindig in downtown Washington. The reception will take place at Hill Country BBQ and features a bevy of high profile Republican lobbyists on its host committee.

Strong fundraising numbers can serve a number of purposes for savvy politicians: If Rubio should pass on a 2016 White House bid, an overflowing campaign war chest could discourage presumptive challengers from entering a battle over his Senate seat. Additionally, as House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has shown, aiding other party members with a little cash can go a long way towards preserving one’s good standing among caucus compatriots.

While everyone knows that nothing kills the mood of a good par-tay like running out of booze, rest assured that Garcia’s reception will be well-stocked, as it is hosted by none other than the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers’ Association and the Distilled Spirits Council. While this is the Cigar & Pipe retailers’ first appearance in PT’s archives, the Distilled Spirits Council clearly prefers to share a cold one with Dems.

If you can’t make it, or just can’t get enough of the Florida congressman, fear not: Garcia will be holding another bash this Friday at the Erickson & Co. Townhouse.

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes recently gained two new feathers in her campaign cap with the news of two upcoming fundraisers featuring A-list invitees.

This Friday the Bluegrass state will receive a visit from pop star Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, appearing on Lundergan Grimes’ behalf at a private residence. Contributions run the gamut from $100 to $2,600.

Apparently undeterred by his weak showing in polls for the New Jersey Senate race, Steve Lonegan aims to fire up his base this weekend with a little trip to the shooting range.

That’s right, a political fundraiser where you get to blast away with a variety of different firearms — all while supporting New Jersey’s Republican candidate for Senate.

Sponsored by the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, the event offers different firing experiences for different levels of support. $40 will buy a contributor the chance to shoot 20 rounds from a “Savage 10.P 308,” while a $125 contribution will give you the chance to fire five rounds from the Barret M107 .50BMG.

Of course, no firearms fundraiser would be complete without a chance to try one of the event’s two “mystery rifles.”

As always, if you catch wind of other fundraisers, share them here. Party Time out.

If there was anyone still questioning whether Newark Mayor Cory Booker has the mass appeal, or connections, to pull off a successful cross-country fundraising campaign, last Tuesday’s FEC campaign filings surely silenced them. Campaign finance data and Party Time records show that the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate (and all-around “rock star” of the progressive movement) has benefited handsomely from his connections to celebrities and high-profile pols.

Michael Bloomberg held a fundraiser for Booker, seen at right, on July 15 in his Manhattan home, and the Brick City mayor visited the DC on July 18 to rake in the dough with the K Street crowd. He will return to the Big Apple Wednesday for a reception in his honor at the home of Ivanka Trump, and still has a soirée with TV mogul Oprah Winfrey left on his docket. Such cross-country trekking must be exhausting, but it has paid dividends.

As reported by the Washington Post, Booker amassed $4.6 million from April to June alone, with 70% of all contributions coming from individuals outside of New Jersey. On top of his domination of the ‘money primary.’ the mayor also enjoys a commanding lead in the polls heading into the Aug. 13 primary. The Oct. 16 special election was called by Gov. Chris Christie, R, to fill the seat of deceased Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Unfortunately not all of our representatives can cash in on celebrity. We at PT send our sympathies to those politicians slogging through the never-ending circuit of bagel breakfasts and Tortilla Coast receptions; keep on keepin’ on you guys.

Here’s what’s happening this week on the political party scene — which this week, features a few other rising political stars:

“I’ll not yield”

Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis, D, has become a hot commodity following her 12-hour marathon filibuster of a Texas abortion bill, and upcoming fundraising events in Washington could indicate the new star of the pro-choice movement is testing the waters for support for a run for the Texas governor’s office.

She is enjoying a huge spike in contributions following her June demonstration. As reported by the Texas Tribune, Davis raised nearly $1 million in the two weeks immediately following the filibuster. She will be holding two events in the District this Thursday, a breakfast at Capitol Hill eatery Johnny’s Half Shell with a suggested contribution of $500, and a more economical happy hour starting at $25.

The morning fundraiser features a whopping eight U.S. senators, suggesting the state representative could count on some high-profile support should she take the plunge and run for governor in 2014.

Christie shakes the trees

As reported by the Star-Ledger, the New Jersey governor is making an aggressive push to stock his campaign coffers in advance of his bid for re-election this November. While his fundraising has greatly outpaced that of his challenger, New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono, the popular Republican shows no signs of slowing down. Does he have another race in mind?

Christie will traverse the country for three different events in this week alone. On Tuesday, he visits the West Coast for a private par-TAY in his honor, after which he will jet set back to Pittsburgh for a fundraiser at the posh Duquesne Club. His week concludes in his home state with a private event in New Vernon, Morris County, but he will be back on the trail August 1 for a shindig in Las Vegas. As reporter Jenna Portnoy points out, this seems to contradict his 2011 affirmation that “[t]here is no reason people should go to Las Vegas in the summer.” Except, of course, cold, hard political cash.

Chris! Don’t you like us? PT has looked high and low but somehow our invitations to all these swell events seem to have been lost in the email. So c’mon partiers: share. We’ll love you more than Christie loves his governor fleece.

Life in the cash lane

While partisan divide has reached near-toxic levels in Congress, you can take comfort in the knowledge that all Americans are still united in their need to rawk.

Indeed, if an evening spent jamming out to the tunes of a 42-year-old Americana band and a Republican senator from South Dakota sounds like your cup o’ tea then head down to the Verizon Center Monday where you can enjoy the festivities with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. All proceeds will benefit Thune’s Heartland Values PAC.

PT records show that the Oncology Network PAC has a left-of-center tilt in its fundraising efforts, generally hosting such events for Democratic members, although the group has partied alongside Rep. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
Suggested contributions for the party range from $1,000 to $5,000 for PAC guests and $250 for regular attendees.

On Wednesday Inouye’s widow and son will host a morning event in support of Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, who is running in the 2014 special election to fill Inouye’s term. Sen. Inouye personally recommended that Hanabusa replace him in a letter written before his death, but in a surprise move Gov. Neil Abercrombie chose Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz instead. He and Hanabusa are vying for the Democratic nomination in next year’s special election.

Hanabusa has been collecting cash, and endorsements, for the 2014 showdown. Besides the Inouye family, she can count the powerful pro-choice group EMILY’s List among her backers and it is co-hosting the reception.

While $1,000-$5,000 may sound like a lot for coffee and small talk, just remember that Early Money is Like Yeast. That is to say, it raises dough.

Elsewhere on the fundraising scene, former DNC Chairman and current Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is showing off some serious star power as he makes his rounds of the party circuit. A review of McAuliffe fundraisers reads like a who’s who of Democratic politics. Notable attendees include: the first lady, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, and Bill Clinton, who, as of July 11, has already appeared at three such events for the would-be governor.

While the fundraising season has yet to reach its peak, rest assured that this week brings us a plethora of fun new activities to enjoy with our elected officials. Here’s what’s happening:

Fooooore!

Start your week off with some time on the links with Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wisc. The Tuesday golf outing and reception will take place at the scenic Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport, Calif. and will benefit the Republican Governors’ Association. Suggested contributions for entry to the all-day affair range from $2,500 to $25,000. While that may strike some partiers as a tad on the pricey side for a golf outing, I must remind you that the contribution includes breakfast, a “shotgun tournament” AND a post-golf reception.

If gettin’ your schmooze on with a cheesehead governor in Southern California while supporting the RGA sounds like your bag, then this event could be perfect for you. Just remember not to mention anything about unions.

Bam! It’s a PAC!

If partying with the Democrats is more to your liking, be sure to stop by Bistro Bis on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The ever-popular Capitol Hill eatery will serve as the backdrop of a reception and dinner benefiting BAMPAC, the leadership committee of Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

Apparently when she’s not presiding over committee hearings, fielding Twitter criticism, or doing both simultaneously, the senior senator from the Old Line State delights in la gastronomie française. The July 16 fundraiser will be Mikulski’s 11th Bistro Bis fundraiser in Party Time’s records.

If you’re not enticed by the invitation’s totally rad clip art, perhaps you will be drawn to the restaurant’s delectable beef bourguignon or sweetbreads (calf and/or sheep innards) served in the bretonne tradition. Suggested contributions for the event range from $1,000-$2,500 to attend just dinner, while a dinner and reception combo will set you back $5,000.

Corker may be of particular interest to the RIAA thanks to his past role as original co-sponsor of the Performance Rights Act, which would have mandated radio stations pay artists a royalty for playing their tunes on their station — a policy effort close to the hearts of thousands in the Nashville music community. The senator was even honored by the Grammy Association for his work on the matter.

More recently the senator fought against the Pandora-backed Internet Radio Fairness Act, a measure which would slash royalties to musicians from internet radio stations that stream their music.

Suggested contributions to the event range from $1,000-$2,500 for PAC attendees, and $500-$1,000 for individuals.

The Georgetown grad made a splash by becoming the first openly gay man elected to the city’s council. Undeterred by his unsuccessful follow-up campaign for the mayor’s office, DeMaio has already held at least three major fundraisers for his effort to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to PT records.

The Log Cabin Republicans endorsed DeMaio, who calls himself a “new generation Republican,” and his invitation emphasizes DeMaio’s crossover appeal to women, independents, youth, and Latinos — all demographics that Republicans are desperate to make inroads on. The seat DeMaio wants is currently held by Scott Peters, a a freshman Democrat. As of March 31, Peters had raised more than $250,000 for his re-election campaign, Federal Election Commission records show.

The going rate for DeMaio’s luncheon with House leadership ranges from $250 for individuals to $5,000 for PACs.

The play, written in part by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, takes a satirical look at the Church of Latter Day Saints. Such lighthearted fun could be just what the congressman needs to take his mind off his recent health setback.

PT has yet to obtain an invitation to this event (insert sad-face emoticon here). As always, if you come across an invite please remember that sharing is caring.

That’s all we have for this week, keep those invitations coming. Until next time folks!

While a politician’s chief concern at these soirees is generally stuffing the campaign war chest, parties also provide lawmakers with a chance to announce future campaign plans outside of the harsh glare of journalists’ cameras, as Maine Gov. Paul LePage just did, or to show support for their partisan compatriots.

That’s what New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Mayors Against Illegal Guns PAC are up to as the Big Apple independent and the PAC he’s underwriting continue to throw political muscle behind supporters of stricter gun control legislation. As reported by Buzzfeed, Bloomberg will play host July 22 to a $1,000-and-up benefit for Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va..

Manchin, seen at right, has a complicated past with gun laws. The blue dog Democrat received campaign contributions from the National Rifle Association as recently September 2012, but later clashed with the guns group over his role in spearheading Senate efforts to mandate universal background checks. Tossing in with Bloomberg likely means Manchin will be one of the NRA’s chief targets should he run for reelection in 2018.

A New York fundraiser hosted by the billionaire mayor offers beneficiaries a chance to cash in on Bloomberg’s Wall Street connects. Party Time records show that past honorees have included former Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine.

Now, on to what’s happening this week on the political party scene.

Barrasso’s season pass

Perhaps borrowing a page out of the Redskins’ marketing strategy, some politicians are wagering that fervent supporters will pony up for a season pass.

Such tactics offer politicians a means to get large, lump sum contributions from supporters, instead of relying on repeated requests. On the flip side, holders of a “season pass” get increased access to the recipient via ‘free’ access to fundraisers and retreats throughout the year.

This year’s going rate for season tickets to Barrasso events was $5,000 for PACs and $2,500 for individuals, according to a March 12 invitation. We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether it’s worth the dough.

Any fundraiser featuring the Leader of the Free World is sure to cost some serious dough. But, if you have an extra $32,400 lying around, you could join President Obama and 24 other lucky participants at an undisclosed location this Thursday for a roundtable discussion benefiting the Democratic National Committee.

Similar events in the past have gone for as much as $60,000-$100,000. So, just think of this as the half-off sale.

Google hangout

The tech industry is not known as a hotbed of conservative support.

Indeed, the leftward leanings of Silicon Valley were supposedly a contributing factor to the Dems technological edge in the 2012 presidential campaign. That hasn’t stopped Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., from throwing a lunch fundraiser this Thursday in Google’s Washington office.

Influence Explorer data shows that the tech giant tends to favor Democrats with its campaign contributions and PAC money. However, a quick search through the PT database reveals the illustrious search engine’s Washington headquarters has served as the venue to at least five Republican fundraising events since September of last year.

Google’s political action committee, Google NetPAC, has also served as host for at least four events benefiting Republican lawmakers.

If you have any other invitations to political fundraisers by Google, please share with us here (we also accept fundraisers involving Bing, if that’s more to your taste).

Sen. Risch has the distinction of holding an A+ grade from the National Rifle Association and for $500-$1,000 for an individual attendee or $1,000-$2,500 for a PAC, you can see for yourself how good of a shot he is.

Bucking the stereotype that all such fundraisers are elegant affairs held at upmarket townhouses and glitzy hotels, the Maryland shooting range has been an exceedingly popular spot for such events over the past several years.

That’s all for this week, folks. As always, if you come across an invitation to a political fundraiser, share the love and send it this way.

The life of a lawmaker is TOUGH. Take it from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who recently lamented the “soul-crushing” fundraising every congressmember has to do to survive! Murphy spoke of the dreaded call time, where he sat in a room for four to five hours a day dialing up constituents and begging for money. But Chris, what about the parties!? Tell me you haven’t had fun at the 20+ fundraisers over the past couple years — remember MURPHYPALOOZA back in 2010? Of course you don’t, because that party was awesome! So lighten up, and party on — all your friends are doing it!

We’ve got a full slate of parties this week, as politicians continue that wonderful tradition of fundraising. Check out the highlights below:

Gun Raffles — A Good Idea to Some People
Maryland Delegate Don Dwyer, R-Anne Arundel County, has had some bad ideas in the past, but PT thinks he’s on to something here with Saturday’s Gun Rights and Liberty BBQ and Gun Raffle. While you’re off celebrating liberty, you can enter in the raffle to win either an AR-15 or an AK-47! The best part: tickets only cost $5! And you can buy up to 10 of them! I like those odds, partiers. And don’t worry — PT checked this out before and it’s all legal. The festivities take place tomorrow at Kurtz Beach in Pasadena, Md., but the guns won’t be handed out until July 6. Just one problem with that: Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley ’s gun control bill outlawing certain high-powered rifles, including AR-15s and AK-47s, is scheduled to be signed on May 16. Hmm, looks like Dwyer’s gonna need a really good idea to get around this one.

Guess Who’s Fundraising at a Taylor Swift Concert?
People one would expect to see at the upcoming Taylor Swift concert: a billion teenage girls, many of Swift’s ex-boyfriends who are inevitably trying to win her back, depressed dads of tweens not old enough to go alone — and wait, who’s that? It’s Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky. of course! The Bluegrass State lawmaker will be inviting PACs to attend the show at D.C.’s Verizon Center for the low, low price of $1,000. Guthrie doesn’t care if it doesn’t look manly — he’s fearless.

Lamar Alexander’s Second and Third Winds
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has been fundraising up a storm recently, and the funder forecast predicts his torrential downpour of parties continuing to rain down through next week. Extended metaphors aside, Alexander starts his week on Tuesday with a double-header: first he’ll grab lunch at Charlie Palmer’s, then five hours later he’ll rush to the Monocle for a dinner hosted by Honeywell’s PAC, among others. Both events have tabs of up to $2,500/PAC and $1,000/person. But he’s not done yet — on Thursday he’ll go back to Charlie Palmer’s for another lunch, again costing $2,500/PAC and $1,000/person. Alexander is pushing the party meter through the roof, but he’s gotta mix it up — though PT admits it’s hard to follow up a gun raffle and Taylor Swift concert…

Heller Is Still Looking Back on 2012
While most politicians are fundraising for future campaigns — some as far off as 2016 — at least one senator is looking back on 2012, and not in a good way. Dean Heller, R-Nev., still has some debt leftover from his hard-fought campaign — ”some” meaning over $575,000. So it’s a smart move on his part to host a debt retirement luncheon on Thursday at Capitol Hill spot Bistro Bis. To grab a shovel and dig Heller out of this hole, guests can contribute up to $2,500/PAC or $1,000/person.

Weekend Getaways!
Summer weather finally looks like it’s here to stay, so lawmakers are pouncing on the opportunity to rake in some cash next weekend. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is rolling his supporters away to Virginia for a Weekend at the Tides Inn. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, the Tides Inn can provide guests with golf, spa treatments, boating and more. But guests will have to pony up at least $5,000 to go on this vacation.

Next up is Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who is hosting a Phillies Keystone Weekend for his supporters. The highlight of the weekend will be Casey’s hometown Phillies taking on the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon, but other events could be on the itinerary as no schedule was released. No price points were released either, so if you’ve got the info send it along this-a-way.

Finally, Rep. GK Butterfield, D-N.C., will trounce these other two by whisking his guests off to tour the island of Bermuda. The trip costs guests a mere $2,500 — half of what you’d pay to accompany Sen. Shelby to Virginia! Talk about a good deal, Partiers.

Unlike the Washington party circuit, some things must come to an end. After many months of writing up Party Time posts, my time has run its course in this space. But fear not! I have a suspicion that the next Party Animal here will bring to this blog a great sense of humor, politics — and, most importantly, snark. Until next time, Partiers!

Now back to your usually scheduled partying. Since Congress’ spring bre- er we mean, “District Work Period” is over, the lawmakers is back in the District and ready to party at their peak once again. PT has the highlights below:

GOP Senators Double Up
Either Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, are saving up enough money to take over the entire world, or they’re in some kind of political contest. Both are debt-free yet have been partying at astonishing rates — Crapo has 17 funders scheduled in 2013 while Alexander has 15! Alexander’s interest in the party circuit is obvious: He’s up for reelection next year. Crapo won’t face the voters till 2016, but he might have an interest in helping Republicans win back control of the Senate, putting him in line to be chairman of the Banking Committee, a la another one of our favorite Party Time animals.

Alexander’s campaign gets a kick start on May 9 when he’ll be hosting two events to stuff his campaign coffers. That morning Alexander will be at a breakfast — not at a restaurant where most people would generally eat food, but at the Capitol Hill townhouse of Fluor, a construction and engineering company. Seems an odd place for a meal. Just three hours later, he’ll go more conventional with a noon lunch at the Monocle Restaurant. You too can attend both events for the low price of $2,500 PAC or $1,000 personal.

Meanwhile, Crapo’s Freedom Fund is freaking out with funders, and this week Crapo’s holding two more events benefiting his liberty-themed leadership PAC. On Monday, he’ll be at a Financial Services Industry Dinner at Mexican joint Rosa Mexicano (which PT mistakenly thought was a host at first; we obviously aren’t getting enough money to dine at Mexican restaurants of the expense account variety). No hosts are listed, but expect many Wall Street types here — securities and investments has been the biggest industry to contribute to Crapo over his career. Following this is a Young Professionals Reception on Thursday, priced at a young-person-friendly $250-$100. Unless you’re a young person with a PAC, which will cost $1,000.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Fundraise Alone
If you’re serious about political partying (as PT is of course), then you should check out a new paper using PT data by Yale professor Eleanor Neff Powell entitled “Dollars to Votes: The Influence of Fundraising in Congress.” Sunlight’s Lee Drutman covered the major themes if you don’t have time for the full paper, but Powell found members of Congress who headline events for other members get something in return — surprise! — votes for their legislation! And guess what else — the calendar shows two cases just this week of pols helping pols party.

First up, a Wednesday reception for Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., headlined by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. Mikulski is chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, of which Landrieu is a member, and can lend some powerful support to Landrieu’s challenging campaign in solid-red Louisiana. But she won’t be the only one there; several PACs representing tech businesses and unions will be on hand to host the festivities. To join the crowd, contribute either $2,500 or $1,000.

Later on that evening, Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., will be enlisting the help of fellow lawmaker Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., at a dinner on Capitol Hill. On the invite Capps calls Pallone both a “colleague and friend,” and friends don’t let friends fundraise alone. Tickets to this dinner range from $5,000 to $1,000.

2016 Preview Pt. 2 at the Iowa GOP Dinner?

Tonight the S.C. GOP is holding its annual Silver Elephant Dinner, featuring potential presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as the party’s guest speaker. Well, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., another possible White House successor, tried and failed to get that gig — but he did land the Iowa Republican Party’s 2013 Lincoln Dinner! Tickets to this annual fete cost $450 for a table, $150 for a VIP entree and $50 for a regular ticket. It’s no coincidence that Iowa happens to be an important early voting state in presidential elections, with its spectacular straw poll and all. It’s going to be a packed house next Friday, so hopefully Paul doesn’t blow the dinner speech – and with it his 2016 chances. After all, it’s practically presidential campaign season — in Iowa at least.

Have you ever worked a full month without any scheduled days off? If so, congratulations — you’re not a member of Congress! America’s favorite lawmaking body is going on Spring Break Part 2 — because the first one seemed pretty fun – taking the next week off to rest from all their exhausting labors — not passing any sort of gun legislation, letting the sequester wreak havoc on the economy and continually ignoring budget negotiations have really taken its toll on our lawmakers. But if there’s one thing we can count on Congress to do well, it’s fundraising of course! The Democratic money machines both set all-time records for first quarter earnings, with the House arm raking in $22.6 million and the Senate arm $13.7 million. The GOP committees didn’t do so badly either, collecting $17.5 million in the first quarter for the House and $5.3 million for the Senate. If only Congress was as good at lawmaking as its members are at cash collecting…

Unfortunately for Party Time, the break means our database looks something like this for next week. We’re thinking there’s some partying going on outside the Beltway and someone (maybe Y-O-U?) forgot to send us the invites. It’s never too late! Put ‘em here.

But we still have several parties of note coming up, featuring recurring favorite Cory Booker, the resilient Sen. Roger Wicker and the S.C. GOP’s annual dinner. Look below for the details.

Surprise, It’s Cory Booker… Again
Newark Mayor Cory Booker has become one of PT’s most frequent partiers, scheduling 13 funders from March through May — it’s almost become a weekly segment here! The flush but not-yet official candidate for the Garden State’s soon-to-be vacated U.S. Senate seat is not showing any signs of slowing down, as he’ll be the beneficiary of two events in the Windy City on the same night at the same time! Starting at 5:00 p.m. and lasting until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday is a VIP Reception at the chic eatery Untitled, which you know is hip because they serve things like “whipped trout” in Mason jars. Guests will pony up $2,000-$750 for the VIP portion, or as little as $75 for the general festivities.

But if that isn’t your scene, perhaps you’ll see Booker (or more likely his clone) at an Evening Cocktail Reception that same day from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. — a half-hour before the previous event is supposed to end! It’s happening at the home of Barbara Goodman Manilow, a tried and true blue donor who has hosted high-dollar parties for Obama before. This event is on the more expensive side, costing guests anywhere from $5,000 to $1,000 for entrance. But if Booker can save people from burning buildings, he can probably get to both events.

The Silver Elephant Dinner with a Side of Drama
Every year the South Carolina GOP hosts a famous fundraising banquet called the Silver Elephant Celebration — but this year’s joyous evening hit a snag before it even started. It appears that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., wanted to keynote the event, a chance to win friends and influence people in a state that is always crucial in the presidential nominating process, but the state party invited freshman craze Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, instead. Paul’s chief of staff even called the Palmetto State’s Republican chairman to “express his disappointment.” Ouch.

The show will still go on, and Friday’s 46th Annual Silver Elephant Celebration will honor former Sen. Jim DeMint, the Tea Party darling currently heading the conservative Heritage Foundation. Various price points come with perks: the maximum $8,000 gift reserves a table for 10, with tickets to a pre-reception and photo-op with Cruz and — if you can believe it — your name in the commemorative program! Shocking, we know. But if you can somehow possibly resist that, general admission is only $75. No word on whether former Rep. and Gov.-turned-congressional candidate Mark Sanford will be attending — either quietly at a table by himself, or with new friend Cardboard Pelosi.

Vitter’s Off to the Races
Break out the floppy hats and fix up some mint juleps because the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place next weekend! As he has done in the past, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., will be using that time for a multi-day fundraising field trip to Churchill Downs. Event specifics are fuzzy, but the most important info — the cost — is right on the invite; guests will have to (bad pun alert!) pony up $5,000 per couple for this ride.

Wicker Bravely Parties On
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., had quite a scare last week, as a letter intended for him tested positive for the poison ricin. Luckily that plot was foiled, and the incident isn’t holding Wicker back from his busy fundraising schedule. He’s hosting a Weekend at the Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood, Miss., where guests will take part in activities such as golf, blues trails, museums, spas and even cooking classes. Sounds like attendees will be getting their money’s worth at least! Prices for the weekend are $2,500 PAC, $1,500 personal.

Check in next week when Congress gets back to partyi — er, we mean work — for more fundraising news.

Obama Cashes In While Out West
Last month the President announced he would be back on the fundraising trail, trying to help the Democrats take back a majority in the House in 2014 — now those high-profile funders have arrived. Next week the PIC has got four events crammed into Wednesday and Thursday, all occurring in the political gold mine of San Francisco. Obama will start things off with a $5,000 cocktail reception at the home of environmentalist billionaire Tom Steyer — sounds normal so far, right? Well it turns out this party might get a little awkward due to Steyer’s firm opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, a project Obama may allow to go forward. To make matters worse, Obama’s environmental woes will follow him to his next event, and by woes we mean a crowd of about 2,000 climate activists in protest of the pipeline. They’ll be harassing the president at a $32,400 per plate dinner at the home of billionaire Gordon Getty, whose house hopefully has enough land around it to keep the protesters at bay. Both of these parties will benefit the DCCC, and it comes at a critical time — the group is currently listing more than $10 million in debt. PT hasn’t got its hands on these invites, so if you’ve managed to snag them upload them to us here!

The next day, Mr. PIC will be doing double sessions again, starting out at 9:30 with a $32,400 brunch somewhere in San Fran. The intimate affair is limited to only 30 seats, so it promises some serious quality time with the prez. Just an hour and a half later, Obama will hightail it over to an early lunch at the home of philanthropists John and Marcia Goldman. Prices are $1,000 to get in, at least $5,000 for a photo opp, and $20,000 to co-chair the event. Both of these parties will directly benefit the Democratic National Committee.

No Rest for Rubio
While many of his fellow lawmakers are relaxing from the hectic party schedule, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., actually decided to ramp it up by holding two funders next week. On Monday he’ll be in Chicago for a reception and private dinner at the home of business executive Judson Green. It’s $1,000 for a couple to attend the reception, but the private dinner afterwards will max out at $10,400. If you’ve got your hands on the invite you know what to do! On Friday, Rubio will head home to the Sunshine State for a Weekend at the Biltmore Hotel, a resort destination outside of Miami. For party-poopers only wanting to stay Friday (dubbed the “Havana Nights” package, even though it is only one night), it’s $2,500. But for party animals staying the whole crazy weekend, it’ll run you anywhere from $10,000 to $5,000.

Booker Still Won’t Admit It
Although the world’s worst-kept secret is still technically unconfirmed, the Cory Booker for Senate committee continues to travel the country raising copious amounts of cash. Booker is heading back inside the beltway on Monday for a Young Professionals Reception at the hip Adams Morgan bar Jack Rose. There’s sure to be fixed gear bicycles, cuffed jeans and lots of PBR to go around. And if that doesn’t get you, then maybe the prices will — the event is appropriately cheaper than most funders, with $40 tickets available. Don’t miss this chance to be hip with the hippest mayor (for now) around!

That’s all for now. Make sure to check back next week when the lawmakers — and the parties — return in full force!

Other Lawmakers Mentioned: lawmakers mentioned on invitation who are used as a draw for the event

Sunlight's Party Time is a project to track parties for members of Congress or congressional candidates that happen all year round in Washington, D.C. and beyond. (read more)

We also post information we receive about parties where members of Congress are expected to participate—such as convention or inaugural parties.

Since we don't hear about all the parties, you can also tell us if you know where the party is and we don't.

Founded in 2006, the Sunlight Foundation supports, develops and deploys new Internet technologies to make information about Congress and the federal government more accessible to the American people. Through its projects and grant-making, Sunlight serves as a catalyst to create greater political transparency and to foster more openness and accountability in government. Visit SunlightFoundation.com to learn more.